SMMT News

Vehicle manufacturers recognised for efforts in beating car crime

16 June 2011 #SMMT News

The winning vehicle manufacturers in the 2011 British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards (BIVSA) were announced yesterday at Thatcham Research Centre, with 21 separate awards for cars and vans recognising the work of vehicle manufacturers in improving security and reducing vehicle crime. Statistics from the Department for Transport show that in the past 10 years theft of vehicles fell 50% and theft from vehicles fell 70%.

Volkswagen scooped the overall manufacturer award for cars for the second year in succession, with every variant in 11 separate model ranges satisfying the awards criteria. Vauxhall won best overall van manufacturer for the first time, fully compliant with five separate model ranges.

“Car and van manufacturers take vehicle security very seriously and strive to stay one step ahead of criminals,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “The sustained reduction in the number of vehicle thefts demonstrates the progress that has been made and these awards reflect the high priority security continues to have for all vehicle manufacturers.”

The awards are also an opportunity for manufacturers to demonstrate to customers the efforts they are making in minimising the disruption and anxiety caused by being a victim of crime, and in the case of vans, safeguarding customers’ livelihoods.

Mike Briggs, Vehicle Security Manager at Thatcham, said, “The standard of security across the ranges of all the major vehicle manufacturers continues to impress. Picking a winner in each of our categories has become increasingly difficult as security across the board improves year on year. The motoring public should take great confidence from the efforts of manufacturers who are making a tremendous contribution to the fight against vehicle crime, which Thatcham, on behalf of motor insurers and alongside police and government, has been engaged in since 1992.”

 

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